The Silent Journey

I am always in awe of ordinary people that do amazing, selfless things with their lives.  One of the greatest joys I have had through my contact with Creative Memories is the many beautiful stories and the many amazing things some consultants are doing.  One such special person is a consultant in my team, Felicity Stanway. 

Felicity has just finished riding her horse, Rascal, from Kapunda to Willunga, a distance of about 270 kilometres, over nine days, on the Kidman Trail.  She called her ride "The Silent Journey" as she was riding to raise awareness for those bereaved by suicide.  Felicity's ride marked the 10 year anniversary of her Dad's death by suicide.  Such a gutsy, determined and difficult thing to do.  I am in awe.

If you feel the need to get involved please look up "The Silent Journey" on facebook or the Silent Ripples Support Group.

Whilst my own children are still too young to understand, I took them down to meet Felicity and Rascal when they were stopped overnight in our home town.  We foolishly took carrot and apple for Rascal (forgetting that he recently had a freak accident which has resulted in his jaw being wired)  Luckily Felicity was able to cut the pieces small enough and the kids could feed him!

Congratulations Felicity - what a wonderful adventure!

Just kickin back

I am LOVE, LOVE, LOVING the holidays.  It is so blissful to not have to do the school run.  This morning Hannah made pancake mix while I read one more chapter of my book before getting up.  We use Cousin Caitie's mix which is essentially 1 cup of SR Flour, 1 cup milk, 1 egg, vanilla and salt.  We double it if we are hungry.  This morning Hannah made double (by herself)  I forget that she is capable of doing things like that now.  She even put everything back in the cupboard and wiped the bench when she finished.  A bit too grown-up really.  Anyway, for everyday use these pancakes are very kid friendly and a great vehicle for lashings of butter and maple syrup or far too much sugar and lemon juice.  For really decadent, special day, a-bit-more-time-in-the-kitchen pancakes we use Molly Wizenberg's recipe from "A Homemade Life"  I think I have raved about this book before.  It is full of wonderful recipes and achingly beautiful writing.  I can't decide whether my copy should live with the recipe books or my favourite stories so it tends to float between the two categories and often lives on the couch.

No photos with this post but if I was motivated enough I could show you:
a backyard full of cream-painted planks waiting for pergola building
a backyard full of dying weeds waiting for landscaping and turfing
a boy still in his pyjamas watching more kids tv than usually acceptable
a girl drawing her own map of Australia (as you do?!?)
a girl who wrote her first "novel" on 2 sheets of foolscap yesterday (and yes the heroines were named after herself and two school friends LOL)
a house in dire need of a really good clean
a small person who insists on taking her nappy off and leaving puddles and er...presents... around the house (anyone want to buy a brand new but slightly wee-ed on sweetheart punch?)
children who have managed to have 3 playground plays in 3 days
a contented if messy mummy who is just enjoying chilling with the cherubs!
Happy Wednesday!

Is there anything cuter...

There is nothing cuter than teeny tiny baby toes and little soft baby feet, but given that I've not been able to go to Queensland and smooch and smoosh Selena's feet yet here is the next best thing!

I used Saartje's pattern from http://www.saartjeknits/.  James is thinking he has a bright future as a hand model LOL.

And just because yesterday was 8 years of wedded bliss and we are still like a couple of love-struck teenagers:

I love that he still makes me laugh.

Happy wednesday,

Nell

xxx

Just a few books....

For as long as I can remember I have been a bookworm.

This is my birthday haul!  LOVELY! LOVELY! LOVELY!  So much inspiration and so little time.  I guess the housework won't get done again today (sigh)

If you are looking for a good read I can thoroughly recommend anything by Geraldine Brooks or Sara Gruen.

I am off to finish Selena's rainbow bootees and her birth sampler. Last week was a rough week - I'm looking forward to a better week.  Be kind to one another, keep smiling,

Nell

Selena's presents (Sneak Peak)

I am an Auntie again.  My darling new niece, Selena Willow Rosenveld, was born this morning.  I am sad that I can't be in Queensland to give her new baby cuddles.  Newborns are so special.  It has actually been a lovely thing to share in my sister's first pregnancy.

We are so different, my sister and I.  As children we were not all that close.  As teenagers we were downright hateful, and hurtful, to each other.  As we "matured" we have grown closer and I can honestly say that I now know just how special it is to have a sister.  I see my two girls together, how smitten they are with each other, and I hope that they will always know the special bond of sisterhood.

Today I am not focussed on much at all, just thinking about my sis and her gorgeous newborn.


I hope to have pictures to share, but until I do here are a few of Selena's first presents from us (KAZ LOOK AWAY NOW!!!)

Selena shares a birthday with my dear friend Naomi (which is why Dan has chocolate all over his face - he was licking the bowl from the birthday cake we are taking to Mum's group!)  No pastel baby pinks for my sister.  She has decorated Selena's room in a jungle theme.This is the little dress made from the "stained glass" sock yarn (wool/silk mix) that I got through kathysfibres.com  The pattern is from Sock Yarn One Skein Wonders.  It was just a dream project to knit (thoroughly enjoyable and so quick - I relished every stitch!)  Can't wait to see little Selena in this!

I'm off to help Hannah's class make Easter cards (bunnies from my Creative Memories punches)

Happy Tuesday (and welcome to the world Selena sweetie!)

Keep smiling,

Nell